Vulnerability of Evacuees Having No One to Consult after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

Realising the Corporate Social Performance (CSP) of Takaful (Islamic Insurance) Operators through Drone-Assisted Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

The study investigates the potential for takaful operators to collaborate with the government by using drones to identify victims in the event of a mass disaster. It is critical to emphasise that takaful operators are not part of the government agencies involved in the search and rescue (S&R) operations. Nevertheless, takaful operators are part of the critical chain in the risk management process because they are the parties that will issue compensation to victims if they are takaful participants (policyholders). Through semi-structured interviews, feedback on this issue was gathered from key informants who are experts in their fields. This study included 21 key informants: first responders to an emergency or disaster from Malaysian government agencies, forensic experts, takaful association, drone practitioners (including drone pilots, Vice President (VP) of drone consultation services, and the owner of a drone company), actuarial expert, Shariah experts, regulators (representatives from the central bank), takaful participants, and accounting expert. Findings indicate that the benefits of using drones to the takaful operators are undisputable. Yet, the associated costs of using the device are the main concerns to the industry players. The middle path is to have joint funds between the takaful industry and the government to pool the funds for the national disaster management agency to employ drones for DVI needs in the event of a disaster. Thus, the findings of this study will be useful to the government and takaful association when developing future policy and guidelines for the takaful industry. Furthermore, this research adds to the body of knowledge and provides a better understanding of the subject.

Risk Perception of Health Risks Associated with Radiation Exposure among Residents of Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture

Ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident on 11 March 2011. Okuma is a town hosting the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The evacuation order for Okuma was partially lifted in April 2019. To clarify factors associated with risk perceptions of radiation among the residents of Okuma, we conducted a questionnaire survey in January 2021. Our results revealed that resident anxieties regarding the health effects of radiation exposure from living in Okuma were independently associated with positive PCL-Specific score, recognition of the consultation services with radiation experts in the municipal government of Okuma, and planned request for consultation service regarding radiation exposure by radiation experts, along with being female and living with a child. It is important for radiation experts to promote periodic communication of risks with individuals on a small scale to provide accurate information about the health effects of radiation and to provide maternal and child healthcare services and support regarding child-rearing and radiation exposure, to reduce concerns about radiation exposure and facilitate healthy living and wellbeing in Okuma.